Which Is Better Udemy Or Coursera? Honest Comparison 2025

It can be difficult to find an online learning platform that suits your needs. Especially because there are so many different companies offering similar services.

Both Coursera and Udemy are two of the most popular E-learning platforms available today. In this article, we shall compare both of them, and find out which one is better.

So, what makes both Coursera and Udemy so different (or similar), and which Is better Udemy or Coursera? Let’s find out!

Udemy: What Is It?

Udemy is an online platform that is taught by individual instructors – otherwise known as teachers – in the form of modules and coursework. Often this is via premade videos, tests, and text-based work.

Currently, it has over 50,000 instructors who teach the 40 million plus students who are signed up.

However, it has a pay-per-course structure, so you will need to know specifically what it is you are wanting to learn.

This might put off those who want to subscribe to a platform and be able to sign up for multiple ‘classes’.

Coursera: What Is It?

Coursera was founded by two Stanford University professors.

Due to this, Coursera has partnered up with the likes of IBM, Google, and major universities to bring upskill and regular courses, as well as Bachelor’s and master’s degrees to its platform.

Often the courses are premade videos and coursework, alongside tests for topics such as Neuroscience.

Unlike Udemy, you can pay for a course specifically, or pay for a subscription which will give you access to around 90 percent of the courses.

What Subjects Are Taught At Coursera And Udemy?

Udemy covers a lot of ground when it comes to subjects taught on the platform. For example, you can learn anything from business, the arts, and languages, to photography, technology, and yoga.

The focus is a lot more practical, and the courses often have a step-by-step approach to help you to complete the course.

This makes it great if there is a particular skill that you would like to learn or progress with.

Coursera on the other hand is academic in its approach compared to Udemy. This probably is not a surprise, after all, remember it was founded by two Stanford University professors.

The subjects include social sciences, computer science, and arts alongside humanities, business, and even life sciences.

You can also learn directly from universities, and achieve a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

What Are Some Subject Examples For Coursera And Udemy?

Here are some examples from both Coursera and Udemy when it comes to subjects you can learn on the online platforms:

Coursera

• Science of Well-Being from Yale University
• Epidemiology for Public Health from Imperial College London
• Buddhism and Modern Psychology from Princeton University
• Graphic Design from California Institute of the Arts

Udemy

• Mindfulness Practitioner Course
• Illustrator CC 2019 Masterclass
• Microsoft Excel From Beginner to Advanced
• iPhone Photography Take Professional Photos on Your iPhone

How Do Coursera And Udemy Compare On Price?

When it comes to pricing, they both differ. While you can pay-per-course for both online learning platforms, only Coursera offers a subscription package.

Coursera

Let’s talk about Coursera first. Unsurprisingly, Coursera is quite pricey, though rightly so.

If you can learn from Yale University while sitting at home, surely paying a few hundred dollars is worth it, right?

While courses directly from top universities and colleges will cost you several hundred dollars to partake in (it will look great on your resume), there are much cheaper and budget-friendly courses available too.

With over 3,000 subjects to choose from, most will only cost you around 49 dollars each.

However, if you sign up for the annual subscription package, you can pay $399 to have access to 90 percent of the courses.

However, do not assume they will be the top most expensive course subjects. Make sure the subject you want to do is covered first. However, you can also have a 7-day free trial, that will help you decide if it is for you or not.

Udemy

Udemy on the other hand only has a pay-per-course option, so you will not be able to pick a few courses to do just because you might feel like it if you are on a tight budget.

However, often you will not have this approach anyway, so just having the option to pick one course will keep you focused.

There are many courses that only cost around 9 dollars, but there are also courses that will cost around 300 dollars. Even so, Udemy often releases discount codes, so it is worth keeping your eye out for them.

Also, there are plenty of free courses too, though they may not be as advanced as you would like and are often beginner focused.

If you do spend a few hundred dollars on a course, then you will be happy to know that Udemy has a 30 day money back guarantee in place.

So, if you don’t feel like it is right for you, then feel rest assured that you can quit and get that money back.

Final Thoughts – Which One Is Better: Udemy Or Coursera?

If you are looking to take up an online course, then it is no surprise that Udemy and Coursera are on your radar.

They are both top online E-learning platforms that offer an extensive list of courses, with certifications that will help you to progress in the world of work.

However, how do you choose which one is right for you?

If you are looking to gain certification in an academic focused area – think sciences, health, humanities, and so on – then Coursera could be the best option for you, especially if budget is not an issue.

On the other hand, Udemy is great for those who need a step-by-step approach to practical skills, or subjects that may advance a hobby.

To find the right E-learning service for you, think about what it is that you want to learn, what your budget is, and how the platform’s teaching approach can work for you.